So tomorrow, Thursday is the big day. It's the last day I will be smoking. As of the 1st of July I am going to be a non-smoker! I've quite twice before and I lasted 5 months each time. The reason why I didn't last the first time was because I had a large row when my family found out about me.

The second time I read Allen Carr's "Easyway to Stop Smoking" and it worked really well until I had another major disappointment in my life. I knew that it was stupid of me since I went through a lot of trouble to quit and was aware of the fact that starting again wouldn't make things better.

Lets hope that the third time, I'll learn from the mistakes I've made in the past. I've been smoking for 8 years now and have reached rediculous levels the past few weeks. I am determined to not start again.

So is there anybody else out there who has recently become a non-smoker, or is considering it. Anybody who has tried and failed? I would like to hear about your experiences, the good times, and the bad times.

Me too, at the point of my life when I lost my mother after her being in a coma for 5 weeks ( I had a thread about it last Oct/Nov) I don't feel strong enough as yet....Couldn't work it out for myself so far

I won't even try quit smoking, it won't work anyway, I am way too addicted.

Thanks for the

I also thought the same as you peeps but ended up stopping (even though not permanently) at a time when I too had a lot of shit going on in my life and I thought I wouldn't be able to. So if you can be bothered, give that book a chance... it's really good and comes in so many languages!

Quoting Theredbaron (Reply 4):Try to run fast but not top speed for 500 metres, take th etime and take the time it takes you to get to a normal breath and cardiac rythm....

then STOP smoking for 3 miserly weeks hope you can do it HAVE FAITH.

Repeat the experiment....

Yes I did this when I quit smoking the 2nd time round except with swimming. The first day after I quit my heart felt like it was going to stop after the first lap (it was olympic size btw). After a few weeks I was doing much better and this truly was motivating. I am planning on going swimming again after work every day when I quit now

Quoting BristolFlyer (Reply 5):Good luck. Why don't you put all the money you're saving aside and watch it grow - that should help motivate you.

Yeah, good luck with that FlyAUA, and LO231 & Sabeena3322 as well if you do try in the future.

My motivation not to start smoking was my mates that smoked in year 8 not being able to run our cross country without coughing and hacking up god knows what every few hundred meters. I was lucky I got to see this first hand before I started so I don't know what quitting's like but good luck anyway.

My motivation not to start smoking was my mates that smoked in year 8 not being able to run our cross country without coughing and hacking up god knows what every few hundred meters.

Thanks for that!

Yes I should've known better. There is no excuse for it, and the worst part is that I can't even remember enjoying it or liking the taste. Really weird how you can force yourself to do something you dislike.

They only thing I can say that I smoke or did somke was weed, but I dont do that anymore, the Fire SVC and City Medicals put a stop to that. Smoking is just nasty, I can't stand it when people smoke in their cars, thats just wrong, who would want to buy your car/ashtray.

AC777LR, I'm the same, I had a year where I would at parties but I decided I was gonna be a pilot (or at least work in the industry whether it be ATC, Airport management, Cabin crew etc.) and turned my focus to my studies and gave it up, I never had a problem with it though as I only did it occasionally so this wasn't really like quitting, but still. Now with the exception of religion I'm a straight A student and feel heaps better for it.

Yup, I'm happy with it. It'll get me into a uni course I'm happy with. Go back to sleep, I read a post of yours when I went out a couple hours back and your back on already! or are you shooting for top poster this week?

I quit in '92 after light smoking (max of 6-10/day for 3 years). The first 6 months were the worst - went through the pangs *each time* someone lit a cigarette near me, the following 3 years were bad, still frequently felt the urge, and then next 3 years were OK - moderate urges. It's only after that long period that I truly no longer felt like smoking again.

It's a shit habit made worse by the pangs during the *extremely long* time it takes to truly get over it.

Anyone who says they can stop and has not tried it, is fooling themselves.

And anyone who tries to stop should be cautious for at least 6-7 years after quitting (based on my experience).

r, "me too!", "Good post Jim!", "I disagree" or similar message. This takes up time as readers must sort through these messages which have no real value to the group at large. Any message containing nothing more than a line or two of text is probably not worth posting.

If you have an opinion on a topic, you should in detail express why y

When you hear the noise of the Tartan Army Boys, we'll be coming down the road!

Good luck. My dad smokes, and while I wish he could quit, I know it must be extremely difficult. However, I have an aunt, one of my grandfathers, and a great aunt who all smoked at one point and quit, so it can be done.

I never smoked in my life, but for a few puffs when young. My father smoked a pack a day for about 35 years and one day, in April, 1979 went 'cold turkey' after a few too many mornings hacking up spit and wanting to see his then just born 1st grandchild reach adulthood (which he has). He is now 79 years old and probably wouldn't have made it this far without quitting many years ago.
Working in NY City with a virtual ban on smoking indoors except for one's own house/apartment, I see it is encouraging many more smokers to quit due to the inconvenience to be able to smoke with the 'fellow sinners' outside of buildings. Hang in there, you will see that you will feel better after a few weeks and months. Just don't replace the craving for nicotine with food, as often a side effect, compounded by the fact that food tastes better as not smoking. Take long walks, do things that occupy your mind like reading or something that keeps your hands busy. Avoid places where smoking is allowed like bars, etc. It is difficult to quit the smoking habit, but as I have seen with my father, it is worth it.

Quoting OzGuy (Reply 17):Yup, I'm happy with it. It'll get me into a uni course I'm happy with. Go back to sleep, I read a post of yours when I went out a couple hours back and your back on already! or are you shooting for top poster this week?

Haha, no I am not. Yesterday I wasn't in the mood of leaving home which resulted in a record amount of posts from my side. LOL. I will be doing stuff the next 3 evenings though so I will not be hogging the forum

Wow, that's quite harsh that you had the pangs for so long. I didn't suffer that long to be honest but as you say it gets easier with time.

Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 21):Hang in there, you will see that you will feel better after a few weeks and months. Just don't replace the craving for nicotine with food, as often a side effect, compounded by the fact that food tastes better as not smoking.

I find that carrots or cucumbers are a good thing to fidget with and have in your hand/mouth when i feel like eating... and they don't make me fat

Actually this never bothered me. It was more a feeling of superiority when I went to such places looking at smokers and thinking "Haha, look at those filthy addicts". And when I got home with my clothes stinking of smoke, it was EVEN more motivating to continue not smoking.

Quoting Bill142 (Reply 22):I don't mean to put my nose where it dosn't belong, but I am confused by this statement?

Nope it's not a secret. I guess pretty much everybody knows about my preference by now

Not drinking, also isn't a solution!

25 JasePL
: Keep your hands and mouth busy, that will do the trick! Not that I would know, of course!

26 UAL747
: Blah, good luck buddy. It's haaaaard. I've tried to quit several times. I go and by me some nicoderm CQ thinking I'm such a stud, when come to find ou